Oil for Specific Makes
 

I've seen VW's, Volvos that call out for specific oil for their cars. Is it really necessary if you change your oil regularly and use a good synthetic brand? I know most people will just get the called out oil b/c it is not much more...

I've read the manufacturers want those oils to extend out their change intervals.

Just want keep using my Kirkland Synthetic! :) I don't like paying for things i don't need.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1772811965.jpg

It's best to comply with the manufacturer specifications unless you are certain that a specific oil surpasses those specifications. The specifications cover many aspects of the oil, and these days, the impacts of not using them could be big.

Ignoring the manufacturer's specs and using a good quality oil and changing it ofter (likely far more often than the manufacturer's specs) may be fine. If you're a gambling man, then go for it.

Watch a bunch of this guy's videos and you will be able to make a more educated opinion.

https://www.youtube.com/@themotoroilgeek

I remember 20 odd years ago when Harley announced that it would not honor warranty claims if customers didn't use their oil. I think maybe (can't remember fer sure...) that they might have gone so far as to say that, in addition, the only way to verify is to have it changed at the dealership.

Lawsuits were filed. Harley lost. The court ruled that if that were a requirement, then Harley must perform that service for free. They dropped that requirement.

Granted, this is a bit different. I see no warranty requirements, just recommendations. I have to wonder, though, in this day and age, with such exceedingly stringent EPA requirements regarding oil additives, how much functional difference there actually is between different brands of similar oils. That, and materials technologies have advanced to the point where there are likely not any real differences between those used in the various manufacturers' engines.

In other words, probably all moot, and targeted at the less knowledgeable new car owner.

I use the manufactures recommended Mobil1 on my Tundra.
I figure if it doesn't matter it doesn't matter, but if it does matter then it matters.
Was in Costco the other day and a guy had a flat cart of Kirkland.

Used Mobil 1 exclusively in our 2000 Durango. Gave it away with 197k miles on it a few years ago. Oil changes per the manual.

Lake Speed Jr. The man...

I've been using this Harley Davidson intended Mobil 1 oil in my Honda dirt bike. It works well but for some reason I have to keep blipping the throttle at the traffic lights.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1772823282.jpg

^^^ I'll be sure to not use it in my Civic SI ....unless I put a pair of fart-can mufflers on it.:D

I never pay attention to factory recommended engine oil. They all get mobile 1 or sometimes Amsoil, Now transmission, that's another story. I know Honda is very specific about their Transmission oils especially in the S 2000. I tried and tried to use similar after market oil from Mobile to Valvoline, no dice. Switched back to Honda oil, the shifting was so much better. They were $1.50 more per qt. I know some Mazda requires their own transmission oil also. I just put in Valvoline tranny oil in my Toyotas and they have been fine. Castro TranSynd in the Allison. Simple and are all good.

More on the topic...

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Remember that the OEMs are financially incentivized to maximize their fleet wide MPG, which has led to the spec of increasingly thin motor oils. Similarly they are motivated for your car to get past the warranty period with minimal issues, but after that point they make money when your car breaks. So blindly trusting the OEM or dealership may not always be in your best interests.

A good example is my RX8. They went from recommending 5W-30 in the RX-7 to 5W-20 in the RX-8 to combat the rotary’s notoriously crappy MPG. But the rotary engine building industry unanimously recommends against using either, as rotary engines run hot and need an oil less prone to breaking down. Most rotary engine builders recommend something like 15W-50 and will void your warranty if you use 5W-20 per the book.

Ducati recommended Shell oil for my Monster but the service rep told me it was a money maker between Shell and Ducati.

GM is the latest to have issues with a weight too thin.

The 0W20 WT is causing really big problems.
2640000 on our 2017 turbo civic.
The label asks for 0-20.
I have not even adjusted the valves!!!
AT The first oil change, the OW20 was dumped for 5W30.
Each to their own theory.

The Lake Speed Jr. video to watch on this youtube controversy...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OI2sXdrpdA

He has many videos, and vacillates and oscillates in different directions, depending on who is paying him.
He agrees with draining 0W20 and going with 5W30 most of the time.

Pretty sure I saw a 0W-16 on the shelf recently, yikes.

The magnusson moss act of nineteen seventy five stipulates, they cannot require you to use any certain oil.
And jeff,
I remember when 20w 50 came out. And I put it in my Harley,Everybody said it was gonna burn up.
Lol
So far so good!
I noticed everybody else switched to twenty fifty also

I think I've seen 0W-12 and 0W-8 mentioned as existing in some of Lake Speed's videos.